“If it is believed there is no prospect of an arrest being made a decision can be made to withdraw a warrant. This decision is made by a judge or magistrate based on the information before them.

“However, the case can always be listed again and the warrant reissued if the circumstances change and there is a prospect of an arrest.

“In this particular case, the fact that the warrant was in place for nine years and was only withdrawn after the fourth time it was reviewed emphasises the seriousness of the case and that fact that the prospect of arrest was fully considered.

“The withdrawal of the warrant does not prevent the prosecution seeking to re-commence the case if further information comes to light.”

A special service was held on Saturday for Cullen’s victims, five boys and two girls who were aged between six and 14 at the time of the offences.

The Bishop of Nottingham took mass at Christ the King in Mackworth, near Derby, the parish where Cullen first abused children.

He is charged with 15 counts of indecent assault between 1957 and 1991, five counts of indecency between 1960 and 1991 and one count of attempted buggery between 1969 and 1970.